Osun PDP Endorses Tinubu as Founding Fathers, NEC Seek to Stabilize Party
Barely two years before the 2027 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially zoned its presidential ticket to the South, following increasing pressure from stakeholders demanding regional equity.
TJ News Nigeria gathered that this decision is expected to be formalized during the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) meetings holding today and tomorrow in Abuja. Also on the agenda is the ratification of previously held congresses and ongoing efforts to resolve internal party disputes.
Presidential Ticket Now Open to All Eligible Southerners
Speaking on Tuesday, Deputy National Youth Leader of the PDP, Timothy Osadolor, confirmed that the party’s presidential ticket is now open to southern aspirants.
“The PDP has opened the presidential ticket to all eligible southerners. We are zoning to the South,” Osadolor told reporters.
He explained that the NEC meeting would address matters related to the upcoming national convention and seek ratification for congresses already conducted across many states.
Founding Fathers Move to Reclaim PDP’s Legacy
TJ News Nigeria learnt that a coalition of PDP’s founding members, under the aegis of the Consultative Conference of PDP Founding Fathers and Stakeholders, is also meeting today.
The group aims to reclaim the party’s original values, strengthen internal cohesion, and provide strategic direction ahead of 2027.
S-East PDP Disowns Odefa, Reaffirms Egwu as National Vice Chairman
Amid ongoing reforms, a fresh leadership tussle erupted in the PDP’s South-East zone. A group under the banner of South-East PDP Stakeholders has disowned Chief Ali Odefa, declaring he is no longer a member of the party.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, Seprebofa Oyeghe stated that Egwu Chidiebere Goodluck is the legally recognized National Vice Chairman (South-East) of the PDP.
Citing two court rulings—FHC/AI/CS/227/2024 and FHC/AI/CS/2/2025—Oyeghe emphasized that Chief Odefa’s suspension and expulsion from the party remain valid and unchallenged.
“In the eyes of the law, Chief Ali Odefa is no longer a member of the PDP and cannot represent or speak on behalf of the party in any form,” Oyeghe said.
He further warned that allowing Odefa to participate in the NEC meeting would amount to contempt of court, adding that legal action would be taken against any attempt to undermine the judiciary.
Osun PDP Endorses Tinubu for 2027 Presidential Election
In a surprising political twist, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and the Osun State PDP have formally declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
TJ News Nigeria can authoritatively report that the endorsement was made during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Osun State Government House in Osogbo.
A communiqué signed by Adeleke, Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi, Speaker Adewale Egbedun, former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and 24 others, confirmed the decision.
“The PDP in Osun State recognises the fact that Osun is the ancestral home of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Therefore, the PDP hereby adopts and endorses him for re-election in 2027,” the communiqué stated.
The leaders also reaffirmed their support for Governor Adeleke’s second term bid in the 2026 governorship election, while dismissing rumours of defection to the APC.
Internal Crisis Persists as PDP Seeks Stability
Despite zoning the presidency to the South, the PDP faces internal challenges:
- Zonal leadership disputes, particularly in the South-East
- Legal battles over party membership and congresses
- Diverging loyalties among governors and state chapters
- Allegations of contempt and non-compliance with court rulings
Party insiders say today’s and tomorrow’s NEC and BoT sessions will be crucial in determining whether the PDP can resolve its factional differences and present a united front ahead of the 2027 polls.
